Sheet end line space indicator for typewriters



June 21, 1960 AJE. HIGGS 2,941,647

SHEET END LINE SPACE INDICATOR FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed May 25, 1959 @Q JLQJQIMLQE] LQJLEJBJLEJQILQLEJE a Q Q; 33 f 4 36 r '1 /7 W26 fifl 36 22 Z0 W u, .r. "75 INVENTOR. Tfik '"U 280, A/er/Ef/fys w a: 4 a? United States Patent SHEET END SPACE INDICATOR FOR TYPEWRITERS Albert E. Higgs, City of David, Box 177, Benton Harbor, Mich.

Filed May 25, 1959, Ser. No. 815,348 12 Claims. (Cl. 197-189) This invention relates to improvements in Sheet End Line Space Indicator For Typewriters. The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a simple line space indicator attachable to typewriters to indicate the distance of the bottom edge of a sheet from the typing position of the typewriter.

Second, to provide an end line space indicator which will sound an audible signal at a given distance from the bottom edge of a sheet of paper in the typewriter.

Third, to provide anindicator of the type described which is quickly adapted to accurately indicate the distance to the end of a sheet of paper regardless of the length of the sheet simply by turning the existing platen on the typewriter prior to inserting the sheet in the typewriter.

' Fourth, to provide an end line space indicator which can be utilized by visual observance or by touch as in the case of blind typists.

Fifth, to provide an indicator which is simple and rela, tively. inexpensive but positive and convenient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims. The drawings of which there is one sheet illustrate a highly practical form of the indicator. Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one end of the platen and carriage of the typewriter with the indicator of the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the dial of the indicator with the end cap and gong removed.

' Fig. 4 is a plane developed view of the cylindrical surface of the dial of the indicator with the indicia numerals thereon. t Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through the dial and gong of the indicator taken along a plane corresponding to the broken line 5-5 in Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

i In Fig. 1 there is conventionally illustrated one end of the paper table 1 of a typewriter with the end of the platen 2 associated therewith. The back bar 3 of the carriage frame of the typewriter is connected to the side frame 4 which supports the shaft 5 of the platen, all as is common in typewriter structure. The shaft 5 extends beyond the frame to the outer hand wheel 6 for turning the platen.

' The end line space indicator of the invention consists first of an angled support 7 secured to the back bar or otherframe element of the typewriter carriage as by the screw 8. An upstanding arm 9 on the support curves forwardly and supports a horizontally extending fixed shaft 10. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 10 is a generally cylindrical dial wheel 11 having a hub 12 and a concave pulley rim 13. The rim 13 coacts with and is drivenby .a belt 14 from a drive pulley 15 secured to the 2,941,647 Patented June 21, 1960 platen shaft 5. The drive ratio between the pulley 15 and the rim of the dial is such that the dial makes one complete revolution when the platen 2 is rotated to feed the longest sheet of paper to be handled by the indicator through the typewriter. That is, if the indicator is calibrated for a maximum sheet length of fourteen inches the dial 11 makes one revolution in fourteen. inches travel of the periphery of the platen 2. Obviously difierent calibrations can be made by changing the ratio between the pulley 15 and the pulley rim 13.

Fixedly secured to the side of the stub shaft 10 as by a screw 16 is a laterally projecting arm 17 having knuckles thereon supporting a hinge pin 18 eccentrically with respect to the shaft 10'. Swingably mounted on the hinge pin 18 is a generally radially projecting arm 19 which is biased in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 by a spring 20 wrapped around the hinge pin 18. The arm 19 is thus biased against a stop 21 which is secured to the shaft 10 by the same screw that secures the projecting arm 17 thereto. The upper end of the swinging arm 19 is turned laterally at 22 and supports a curved leaf spring 23 with the weight or clapper 24 on its free end. The lower end of the swinging arm projects generally radially into the path of a hinged pawl 25 carried by the dial wheel 11. In swinging about the hinge 18 the arm 19 will obviously move away from the peripheryof the dial 11 as indicated by the dotted lines at 1913 in Fig. 3 and will thus slide past the pawl 25. The' tension built up in the spring 20 will swing the arm 19 rapidly back to the stop 21 causing the clapper to swing radially outwardly and strike the end bell member 26 secured to the end of the shaft 10 by a nut 27. v

The hinged pawl 25 is mounted on a pivot pin 28 carried by a small bracket 29 secured to the base of the dial wheel and is biased to upstanding position by a small coil spring 30. The pawl 25 is locked against downward tilt ing motion in Fig. 3 and will advance in a counterclockwise direction against the arm 19 as the platen 2 is rotated in paper advancing direction. The spring 30 and pivot 28 permit the pawl 25 to fold upwardly as viewed in Fig. 3 and thus pass under the arm 19 upon reverse rotation of the platen. i

The arm 17 and stop 21 are fixedly mounted in one angularly adjusted position relative to rotation of the dial wheel 11 and will thus be engaged by the pawl 25 after the pawl has rotated a predetermined distance from any selected position of the dial. Similarly the swinging arm 19 will slide past the pawl 25 and sound the bell 26 at a predetermined position of the pawl 25.

In order to usefully utilize the signal action of the bell 26 'and the pawl 25, the periphery of the cylindrical dial 11 is provided with a first set of consecutive numeral indicia 31 and a second set of numeral indicia 32. Desirably but not necessarily the numeral indicia are raised figures which permit them to be felt and read by blind persons. The numeral indicia of both sets coact with and are read with reference" to a fixed indicator or pointer 33 secured to the end of the stub shaft 10 and the bell26. The arrangement of the numeral indicia of two sets 31 and 32 is best illustrated in Fig. 4 which is a developed view of the cylindrical surface of the dial 11 and illustrates the first set of indicia 31 as a consecutive series of numbers from one to a maximum of fourteen, in the present example, arranged continuously around the dial. The spacing of numerals 31 corresponds to an inch of travel of the periphery of the platen 2and set 32 are'spaced equally to the spacing of the numerals in set 31 but'are offset angularly therefrom on the dial 11. The distance of the offset between the two sets of numerals corresponds to the peripheral distance along the pIatenZ-fromthestarting position'of asheet' of paper locatedat the bight betweemthepapertable 1* and the platen tothestarting lineor first'typing position of a sheet of paper in thetypewriter.

Theindicator is'operated" as follows: The typist' selects the sheet of" paper she is going to use' and" identifies, its length such as the'maximum lengthf'ourteen indicated in theexample illustrated and by-using the hand" knob 6 in'the-ordinary'manner 'rotates" the platen andithe dial 11 until the numeral fourteen inthe second series; of numerals 32 registers withthe stationary indicator 33. Shethen'insertsthe paper into the typewriter in the usual waygrotatingthe platen and by *thetime the leading edge of the paper has advanced 'totyping position in the. type writerthe dial 11 will have advanced tobring-the numeral fourteen of the first series'of numerals 31 into registry with the indicator 33; This indicates-to the typist, if; needbe; that she has'fourteeninches'of' paperfavailable for-typing. She mayuse the decreasingiseries of numerals 31 to gage or locate the typingmaterial and to indicate to her at any timethe' number: of-inch'es leftblank' on thebottomof thesheet of'paper.

The positionof the'bell actuating pawl on the dialv wheel 11 can, ofcourse, be adjusted to any position relative'to theindicia numerals 31' but a position which will sound the 'bell 26-at about the time the-numeral one registers'with theindicator 33 is suggested asa:convenient position'to indicate'audibly that only one inch of "paper remains in the typewriter:

Since the second set of numeralsi32 is utilizedonly to set the indicator for the length of sheet to beused and gaged in the typewriter it is unnecessary as a practical matter to carry the-second series of numerals below a minimum such as the numeral three illustrated because sheets ofpaper of less than'five inches in length are used so infrequently as to make smaller numerals. in this series unnecessary. The omission of the lower, order numerals in the second series 32rperforms the added function of reminding the typist which scale. functions as the sheet starting or setting scale andwhich functions as the sheet end 'indicating'scale.

The indicator is thus easy to. operate and.doesnotiin-' terfere-With the'operation of 'the'typewriterain any way. At'the same-time it "gives the typist a; quick visualand audible signal indicating; the approach of the end of the sheet' inthetypewriter; The units of measurement of theindicia 31 and 32.need not be inchesbut may be any otherconvenient'unit'such as amultiple of. the standard type linespace of typewriters;

It is' a; desirable structural featureiof'the indiaton-that the -numeral series 31' and" 3L are' separately formedion individual rubber or elastic bands 34 and"36 that can, be adjustably snapped over'the' cylinder 11. In this waya' singlecylinder 11 andthe other mechanism ofthe' in;- dicator' can be madeto fit a.wide. variety ofjtypewriters; If the platen size or construction of one make of'type writer provides a' greater infeed' length. from thebightzof the -platen and' the table'to the first line: typing position tharr'on othermachines*theLfleXibIebands' 34 and "36' and thenumber seriesthereon need'onl'y, to be angularly otf set a correspondinglyfincreased distance to make the in: dicator'function with either machine:

What'is'claimed as'nevris'.

1'. In combination with a" typewriter having; a car riage with a platen andplaten shaftrotatably mounted thereon, a sheet end lineaspace indicator comprisinga support fixedly mounted on" said carriage and h'avinga' stub shaft positioned in spacedparallel relationrto said platen shaft near'one end of theplaten shaft, a'dial freelyrotatably'mounted onsaid'stubshaft, means'in eluding: a: pulley -fiiredly connected to said platen shaft and a belt trained around the pulley and the dial for rotating said dial in timed relation with said' platen shaft and at a reduced speed relative to said platen shaft, the ratio between said platen shaft and said dial being such that the dial rotates one complete revolution as said platen rotates to feed the longest standard sheet of paper to be indicated on the dial through the typewriter, a first set of raised. numeral indicia disposed. in. equally spaced relation around said;dial andvcalibrated" thereon corresponding to inches of rotation of the periphery of said platen from one to the maximum length: of the sheet to be indicated on said indicator, a-second set of numeral indicia onrsaid, dia1= positioned; alongside; said first set and being spaced'angularly equally with respect thereto but offset angularly from said first setby a distance corresponding to the distance around said platen from the starting point of a sheet of paper fed into the platen to the typing. position on said platen, said second setof indiciadecreasing numerically fromthe maximum length: of paper'to be indicated, an arm pivotally mounted. on,

said stub shaft'in eccentric relationthereto andprojecting generally radially within said dial, afixed stop, on said. stub shaft coacting with said arm, spring means. biasing said; arm against said stopand in, retracting direction relative to the, advancing motion of said dial,.,a..spring,

biased'pawl carried by said dial and advanceable there:- with into driving engagement with saidlarm said pawl being yieldinglypivoted to pass under said, arm upon,

reverse rotation of said dial, a gong mountedjon the. end. of said stublshaftand constituting an enclosure forhthe. end of said dial,,a spring connected to saidarm within said gong and having a clapper on its end swingabl'e intocontactwith said gongas said pawl is rotated past the. endof saidarm by rotation of saidtdi'al, andja. fixed indicator carried'by saidstub shaft and coactingwith said sets of numeral indicia, said arm and pawl. being. angularly arranged to release said clapper whena low numeral. of said first set of'indicia registers with said indicator.

2. In combination with a typewriter, having a carriage with acplaten and platen shaft rotatably, mounteditheree on, a sheet end line space indicator comprising a-isupport fixedly mounted on saidcarriage and'having a stub shaft positioned in spaced parallel, relation .to. saidlplaten ish aft near one end of theplaten shaft, a. dialvfreely rotatably. mounted on said stub shaft meanstfor.rotatingrsaidvidial in timed relation withisaid. platen shaft and, at a reduced speed relative, to said pl'atenshaft, the ratio.v between said'pl'aten shaft and saidcdial being such that.v the,v dial rotates. one complete. revolution as .saidlplatenrotates. to feed; the longest. standardsheet of paper to. be indicated on the dial throughthetypewriter, afirst set.of numeral indicia disposed, in equally spacedrelation' around: said dial andcalibrated thereon corresponding to inchessof rotation ofthe periphery ofsaidplatenfromone tctzthe maximumlengthof thesheetto be indicated orrsaid, indicator, a secondset of, numeral indicialonrvsaidrdial positioned alongside saidifirst setandbeing spaced angue larly equally with. respect thereto but offset angularly from, said first set by a distance correspondingto the distance. around said, platen fromthe starting pointtof a sheetofJpaper fed into, the platemtothe typing,posi-t tion,on said'platen,.said second set of indiciadecreasing numerically, from, the maximum lengthtof papers. tot-be. indicated,. an arm pivotally, mounted. on, said stuhshaft in eccentric relation thereto and projecting generally; radi: ally within saiddial, a fixed stop. onrsaid .stubshaft coacting withxsaid arm, spring means biasing saidl arm against saidstop and in retracting direction relative to .thetad-vancing motionofsaid, dial, aspring biasedipawl carriedLby said. dial, and advanceable, therewithinto. driving en: gagement with said arm, said pawLbeing.yieldinglypivot: edito pass under said arm upon reverse rotationofisaid dial, a gong mounted on the end of said stub" shaftand constituitng an enclosure for the end of said dial; a,

spring connected to said arm' within said gong and swingable into contact with said gong as said pawl is rotated past the end of said arm by rotation of said dial, and a fixed indicator carried by said stub shaft and coacting with said sets of numeral indicia, said arm and pawl being angularly arranged to release said clapper when a low numeral of said first set of indicia registers with said indicator.

3. In combination with a typewriter having a carriage with a platen and platen shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a sheet end line space indicator comprising a support fixedly mounted on said carriage and having a stub shaft positioned in spaced parallel relation to said platen shaft near one end of the platen shaft, a dial freely rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, means connected to said platen shaft and the dial to rotate said dial in timed relation with said platen shaft and at a reduced speed relative to said platen shaft, the ratio between said platen shaft and said dial being such that the dial rotates one 1 revolution as said platen rotates to feed the longest standard sheet of paper to be indicated on the dial through the typewriter, a first set of raised numeral indicia disposed in equally spaced relation around said dial and calibrated thereon corresponding to inches of rotation of the periphery of said platen from one to a maximum, a second set of numeral indicia on said dial positioned alongside said first set and being spaced angularly equally with respect thereto but offset angularly from said first set by a distance corresponding to the distance around said platen from the starting point of a sheet of paper fed into the platen to the typing position on said platen, said second set of indicia decreasing numerically from said maximum, an arm pivotally mounted on said stub shaft in eccentric relation thereto and projecting generally radially within said dial, a fixed stop on said stub shaft c oacting with said arm, spring means biasing said arm against said step and in retracting direction relative to the advancing motion of said dial, a spring biased pawl carried by said dial and advanceable therewith into driving engagement vw'th said arm, said pawl being yieldingly pivoted to pass under said arm upon reverse rotation of said dial, a gong mounted on the end of said stub shaft, a clapper connected to said arm within said gong and swingable into contact with said gong as said pawl is rotated past the end of said arm by rotation of said dial, and a fixed indicator carried by said stub shaft and coacting with said sets of numeral indicia.

4. In combination with a typewriter having a carriage with a platen and platen shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a sheet end line space indicator comprising a support fixedly mounted on said carriage and having a stub shaft positioned in spaced parallel relation to said platen shaft near one end of the platen shaft, a dial freely rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, means connected to said platen shaft and the dial to rotate said dial in timed relation with said platen shaft and at a reduced speed relative to said platen shaft, a first set of raised numeral indicia disposed in equally spaced relation around said dial and calibrated thereon corresponding to inches of rotation of the periphery of said platen from one to a maximum, a second set of numeral indicia on said dial positioned alongside said first set and being spaced angularly equally with respect thereto'but offset angularly from said first set by a distance corresponding to the distance around said platen from the starting point of a sheet of paper fed into the platen to the typing position on said platen, said second set of indicia decreasing numerically from said maximum, an audible signal means mounted on said stub shaft actuated by rotation of said dial, and a fixed indicator carried by said stub shaft and coacting with said sets of numeral indicia.

5. In combination with a typewriter having a carriage with a platen and platen shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a sheet end line space indicator comprising a support fixedly mounted on said carriage and having a stub shaft positioned in spaced parallel relation to said platen shaft near one end of the platen shaft, a dial freely rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, means connected to said platen shaft and the dial to rotate said dial in timed relation with said platen shaft and at a reduced speed relative to said platen shaft, :1 first set of raised numeral indicia disposed in equally spaced relation around said dial and calibrated thereon corresponding to inches of rotation of the periphery of said platen from one to a maximum, a second set of numeral indicia on said dial positioned alongside said first set and being spaced angularly equally with respect thereto but offset angularly from said first set by a distance corresponding to the distance around said platen from the starting point of a sheet of paper fed into the platen to the typing position on said platen, said second set of indicia decreasing numerically from said maximum, and a fixed indicator carried by said stub shaft and coacting with said sets of numeral indicia.

6. A sheet end and line space indicator for typewriters comprising a support attachable to the carriage of a typewriter and having a fixed stub shaft thereon to be parallel to the platen shaft of the typewriter, pulley means.

attachable to the platen shaft of the typewriter, a cylindrical dial openat one end and rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, belt means dr-ivirigly connecting said pulley means and said dial to rotate the dial at a slower speed than the platen of the typewriter, a first set of indicia numerals arranged in equally spaced relation around said dial and corresponding to the inches of travel of the periphery of the platen, a second set of indicia numerals positioned on said dial alongside said first set of numerals and decreasing from a maximum number corresponding in length to the longest sheet of paper to be indicated with the highest numeral in the second set displaced angularly from the corresponding numeral in the first set by a distance correspoding to the distance from the paper starting position to typing position on the platen of the typewriter, a fixed datum marker carried by said support and cooperative with said sets of indicia numerals, an arm pivotally supported on said stub shaft at a point eccentric to said shaft and extending generally radially within said dial, a stop means coacting between said. shaft and said arm limiting the reacting motion of said arm relative to said dial,- spring means urging said arm against said stop means, a pawl carried by said dial and engageable with said arm to advance the arm from said stop means, said arm and said pawl having a one way folding engagement permitting retracting of the pawl past said arm, a spring carried by said arm and flexible radially of said dial, a clapper on the free end of said spring, and an end member on said stub shaft forming a closure for said dial and constituting a bell engageable by said clapper.

7. A sheet end and line space indicator for typewriters comprising a support attachable to the carriage of a typewriter and having a fixed stub shaft thereon to be parallel to the platen shaft of the typewriter, pulley means attachable to the platen shaft of the typewriter, a cylindrical dial rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, belt means drivingly-connecting said pulley means and said dial to rotate the dial at a slower speed than the platen of the typewriter, a first set of indicia numerals arranged in equally spaced relation around said dial and corresponding to the inches of travel of the periphery of the platen, a second set of indicia numerals positioned on said dial alongside said first set of numerals and decreasing from a maximum number displaced angularly from'the correspond-ing numeral in the first set by a distance corresponding to the distance from the paper starting position to typing position on the platen of the typewriter, a fixed datum marker carried by said support and cooperative with said sets of indicia numerals, an arm pivotally suported on said stub shaft at a point eccentric to said shaft and extending generally radially of said dial, a stop means coacting between said shaft and said arm limiting the retracting motion of said ar-m relative to said dial, spring means urging said am against said stop means, a

pawl carried by said dial and engageablewith said arm to advance the arm. from said stop means, saidarm and said. pawl. having a one way folding engagement permitting retracting of the pawl past said arm, a spring carried by said arm and flexible radially of said dial, a clapper on the free end of said spring, and a bell engageable: by said clapper.

8. A sheet end and line space indicator for typewriters comprising a support attachable to the carriage of a type-- writer and having a fixed stub shaft thereon to be parallel to the platen shaft of the typewriter, drive means attachable to the platen shaft of the typewriter, a dial rotatably mounted. on said stub shaft, means drivingly con necting said drive means and said dial to. rotate the. dial at a slower speed than the platen of the typewriter, a first set. of indicia numerals arranged in equally spaced relation around said dial and corresponding to the inches of travel of the periphery of the platen, a second set of indicia numerals positioned on said dial alongside said first set of numerals and decreasing from a maximum number displaced angularly from the corresponding numeral in the first set by a distance corresponding to the distance from the paper starting position to typing position on the platen of the typewriter, a fixed datum marker carried by said support and cooperative with said numerals, and audible signal means carried by said support and actuated by advancing rotation of said dial to a predetermined point.

9. A sheet end and line space indicator for typewriters comprish'lg a support attachable to the carriage of a typewriter and having a fixed stub shaft thereon to be parallel to the platen shaft of the typewriter, drive means attachable to the platen shaft of the typewriter, a dial rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, means drivingly connecting said drive means and said dial. to rotate the dial at a slower speed than the platen of the typewriter, a first set of indicia numerals arranged in equally spaced relation around the dial and corresponding to the inches i of travel of the periphery of the platen, a second set of indicia numerals positioned on said dial. alongside said. first set of numerals and decreasing from a maximum.

number displaced angularly from the corresponding nu-- moral in the first set by a distance corresponding to the distance from the paper starting position to typing position on the platen of the typewriter, and a fixed datum marker carried by said support and cooperative with said numerals.

10. An end space indicator for typewriters, comprising a dial, means for mounting said dial on a typewriter, drive means for connecting said dial to the platen shaft of the typewriter, a fixed datum indicator cooperative with said dial, a first series of line space indicia on said dial increasing regularly to a maximum and rotated with said dial in proportion to advancing rotation of said platen, and a second series of sheet starting point ind-icia on said dial spaced equally to the spacing of said first indicia and decreasing from a. maximum figure angularly displaced from the same figure of said first indicia series by a distance corresponding to the distance around said platen from paper starting position to the typing position thereon. v

11. An indicator as defined in claim 10 in which said two series of indicia are formed on individual rings that are angularly adjustable around said dial.

12. An indicator as defined in claim 11 in which said rings are of flexible material to permit them being stretched over the dial to grippingly engage the dial in selectively adjusted positions.

References Cited. in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

